British High Commissioner arrives

The new British High Commissioner to New
Zealand, Jonathan Sinclair, is looking forward to
strengthening the significant relationship Britain already
has with New Zealand.

“Our ties go back a long way and
we have shared much together over those years – history,
culture, a love of sport, a similar outlook on many global
issues, and our shared values.

“We are in a rapidly
changing world and there has been a significant shift in
economic gravity, but our shared political, social and
economic values continue to bind us together. These values,
brought so clearly into focus last week at the
commemorations to mark the start of WW1, are as relevant
today as ever.”

Mr Sinclair takes up his position as
British High Commissioner today. He will be sworn in as the
Governor of the Pitcairn in Auckland on Friday.

Mr
Sinclair said his predecessor Mrs Vicki Treadell had done a
huge amount to refresh the relationship between Britain and
New Zealand “and I promise to build further on her
work.”

Britain had changed significantly over recent
years. “It is cosmopolitan, innovative and forward
looking. The IMF predicts it will be the fastest growing G7
economy this year. Inflation is down to 1.9% and employment
is hitting new record highs.

“Britain is very definitely
open- for-business”.

New Zealand had also undergone
significant change in recent years. “This includes a
change demographically and in its international trade links,
with a clear shift towards Asia.

“Britain still remains
a very attractive trading partner. We offer a significant
‘high value’ market for New Zealand products. We share a
common language, laws and financial frameworks; and we can
provide a ready spring-board for those wanting to move into
a European market of 500 million consumers.

“These will
be some of the issues I’ll be highlighting during my term
in New Zealand.”

Mr Sinclair was until recently National
Policy Adviser in UK Trade and Investment. Other roles have
included Head of the Intelligence Policy Department at the
Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, Head of the
Political Team in Washington, Head of the European
Communities Team in London, and First Secretary in New
Delhi. He was also Private Secretary to the former British
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Mr Sinclair is married to
Helen and they have three children. His twitter address is
@JWRSinclair.

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